If you like discussing politics and other related topics then your new home (hopefully) for doing just that can be found on Punndits.com! Come join us and help us grow Punndits into a wonderful and safe place to discuss politics with everyone.

The Cowboys gave Zack Martin a look at center during the OTA practice on Tuesday and plan to keep doing it.

“We viewed him as a guy who could potentially play five offensive line spots when we drafted him,” coach Jason Garrett said. “He’s certainly done a very good job at guard. We’ll try to give him some snaps at center as well.”

Martin comes to the Cowboys with 52 games of big-time college experience at left tackle. He never played a game at guard in college, and he only snapped during workouts for NFL teams in the offseason.

“It’s hard,” he said, and laughed. “The first time I was in there, I came to the side, I was like, ‘God, you got a lot going on out there. You got to know a lot.’ ”

I'd hate to see this hinder his progress at learning the guard position. Unless we really feel like we might need him at guard, I'd be more inclined to get him as much guard experience now as possible.

I hate to bring up old stuff, but I recall a few years back where the OL was gutted right up the middle at the C spot. It's happened, might as well look now to see how he'd handle it.

Click to expand...

I don't disagree that this is the time to look at it, part of what made him valuable where we picked him in versatility - but if he's starting at center, that Fred and Bernie are out, doesn't it? Not good.

I don't disagree that this is the time to look at it, part of what made him valuable where we picked him in versatility - but if he's starting at center, that Fred and Bernie are out, doesn't it? Not good.

Click to expand...

Yeah, this would be a worst case scenario for sure. Imagine this line up. Smith, Leary, Martin, Free, Parnell.

I'd hate to see this hinder his progress at learning the guard position. Unless we really feel like we might need him at guard, I'd be more inclined to get him as much guard experience now as possible.

Click to expand...

I hope this means he's doing so well picking up the guard position that they think he can try center as well.

This is the time to see who can come in if necessary. Just like we did in College baseball, during the fall, we would practice at other positions to see if anything was there and if we could come and play in a pinch at a different position.

If Fred goes down in camp or early season, they need to know if Martin is a viable option. Now, if he sees multiple snaps during camp, that would be a mistake. That is where he should be getting used to the position and pace of the game, not anywhere but guard.

This is the time to see who can come in if necessary. Just like we did in College baseball, during the fall, we would practice at other positions to see if anything was there and if we could come and play in a pinch at a different position.

If Fred goes down in camp or early season, they need to know if Martin is a viable option. Now, if he sees multiple snaps during camp, that would be a mistake. That is where he should be getting used to the position and pace of the game, not anywhere but guard.

I'd hate to see this hinder his progress at learning the guard position. Unless we really feel like we might need him at guard, I'd be more inclined to get him as much guard experience now as possible.

Click to expand...

I think he'll be fine. Frederick got a lot of work at guard last training camp and that didn't slow him down. Martin is a fast learner.

TC hasn't even started yet, so them giving him looks @ center can only be a good thing to me...I think that they are moving many guys around, especially on the interior not just to see what they can do there, but if Martin is playing a little center, wouldn't he naturally get a look at what he needs to do to help either guard position? He might see where a guard failing on a snap can screw the pooch for the offense....thus, he can learn about the guard position from a different aspect of the line.....I like it at this point in the pre-season